Fire, police levies pass in Butler

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By Rick McCrabb, Staff Writer Updated 6:34 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Tax levies to improve safety services in Wayne and Liberty townships were approved by voters there Tueesday.

And in Oxford, voters OK’d liquor sales at two new locations in the city.

The Wayne Twp. fire levy and Liberty Twp.’s replacement police levy all passed Nov. 3, in unofficial results from the Butler County Board of Elections.

The Wayne Twp. fire levy passed 725, or 55.81 percent to 574, or 44.19 percent.

Issue 16 will allow township officials to borrow $700,000 to replace the township’s aged, cramped station with a new one.

It would be paid back over seven years with a 1.31-mill levy, equaling about $40.11 per year for the owner of a $100,000 home, according to the county auditor’s office.

Volunteer Fire Chief Doug Hoit said his department has “completely outgrown” the building on Oxford Middletown Road in Jacksonburg.

The all-volunteer department has five vehicles and 30 personnel, and they can’t all fit into the building at the same time, he said.

Liberty Twp. voters approved the police safety levy 5,054, or 62.88 percent, to 2,984, or 37.12 percent.

Voters approved the 3-mill replacement levy for police services provided by the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.

The approval means area residents will be paying an additional $54 per year — per $200,000 in home value — for the 24 deputies and one detective that specifically serve the township.

Liberty residents last approved an increase in property taxes for police services in 2000, when trustees decided to increase a 1.5-mill levy — approved in 1995 — to 3 mills. Each of the past two levies approved by voters — in 2000 and 2005 — have been renewals, meaning property taxes for police services did not increase.

In Oxford, residents passed Sunday liquor permits for Walmart, at 5720 College Corner Pike, and Indian Creek Tavern, at 6206 Main St.

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